Synthesis, DNA binding and cleavage studies of Ni(II) complexes with fused aromatic N-containing ligands

The three Ni(II) complexes of fused aromatic N-containing ligands such as [Ni(bnp)3](PF6)2 (1), [Ni(phen)2(bnp)](PF6)2 (2) and [Ni(bpy)2(bnp)](PF6)2 (3) (where bnp = dibenzo(b)1,8-naphthpyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and bpy = bipyridine) were synthesized and structurally characterized. Elemental analysis, magnetic and spectroscopic data suggested octahedral geometry for all the complexes. Binding of these complexes with (ds)DNA were analyzed by absorption spectra, viscosity and thermal denaturation studies. Detailed analysis revealed that the metal complexes intercalates into the DNA base stack as intercalator. The oxidative cleavage activities of the complexes were studied with supercoiled (SC)pUC19 DNA by using gel electrophoresis, and the results show that complexes have potent nuclease activity.